Turning "Price checks" into service calls

[bagellad]

Well my phone book ad has came out and ive gotten a few calls out of it. I also seem to get a lot of Price Checks, people who are shopping around for the different techs.. Any idea on how to convert these people into paying customers?

I know the average person gets very cheap when it comes to computers for some reason..

 

[ZenMike]

Don't compete on price. I tell them, "I'm not the cheapest so if that's the only criteria for your decision you probably won't do business with me. Is price the only thing you care about?" Usually they'll say, "Well... no." and then you can have a conversation.

 

[nonchalant]

I already have a competitive price based on what shops in my area charge, plus I pickup & deliver.

I never haggle my standard charges. In fact Im wary of any potential customer that wants to beat down my charge. As far as Im concerned its 'take it or leave it'.

You also need to be careful about the charge/hourly rate you advertise, which can have an adverse effect, in that customers may make the assumption you cant be very good if you charge such a small price.

 

[flapjackboy]

I would also say stick to your guns on your prices. Tell them that you're not the cheapest, but that your prices reflect the quality of your work.

Setting prices, you're always striking that balance between setting it high enough to discourage the cheapskate deadbeat, but not so high that you scare away the good customers. The likelihood is high that anyone price matching is going to fall into the former category and if you agree to price match with $random_competitor just to get business, that will set a dangerous precedent for all further dealings with $cheapskate_deadbeat.

Nope, if $random_competitor will do it for $cheaper_price, by all means let them go there. They'll most likely find out the real reason their prices are so low and they'll come back to you anyway.

 

[justpcsupport]

If your Price is Already Toooo Competitive.

If you Charge lets Say a Really Low Price (Lets Say $25 an hour), Double the Price you Tell The Customer When They Price Check and Let them Know that you are Running a Half Off of Labor Special This Week. It Will Give them the Impression that you are charging the same as everyone else, and your prices are inline or maybe even a bit higher than your competitors, but you have a Great Value Right now. (Just Make sure your Service is the same caliber that they would be receiving had they called that other company)

Think of How many times you've Bought Business Cards From Vista Print and if you've never bought business cards from Vista Print, http://www.vistaprint.com